Ekiti Launches Green Revolution to Revive Forestry Sector and Strengthen Climate Action

The Ekiti State Government, under the leadership of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO), has embarked on an ambitious green revolution aimed at restoring degraded forests, revitalizing the forestry sector, and promoting a sustainable green economy across the state.

For decades, Ekiti’s once-thriving forest reserves suffered extensive depletion due to illegal logging, encroachment, banditry, and uncontrolled grazing, leading to massive deforestation and biodiversity loss. However, the Oyebanji administration has introduced comprehensive reforms to reclaim, secure, and sustainably manage the state’s forest resources.

Restoring Security in Forest Reserves

Governor Oyebanji’s first major step was to restore law and order within the forest reserves. Through coordinated security operations, the state government successfully flushed out criminal elements — including illegal loggers and armed herders — from affected areas.

To maintain this progress, the government recruited new forest guards in 2023 to replace retired personnel and to ensure continuous patrols across forested zones. In 2025, the administration further strengthened rural and forest security by deploying 404 additional officers into the Ekiti State Security Network Agency (Amotekun), the Agro-Marshal Corps, and the Anti-Grazing Unit.

According to officials, these efforts have restored public confidence, enabling renewed investment and environmental recovery initiatives across the state.

Public-Private Partnerships for Reforestation

With security reestablished, Ekiti has shifted its focus to large-scale reforestation projects anchored on public-private partnerships (PPP). The state government has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with private investors for the development of commercial plantations that support timber production, carbon credit generation, and long-term environmental sustainability.

Some of the notable projects include:

• YSJ Limited — operating in Oke-Aro, Ogbese, and Aramoko Forest Reserves.

• MBH Global Resources — leading afforestation work in the Ise-Ekiti Forest Reserve.

• Enshet Global Resources — implementing reforestation activities in Ogbese Forest Reserve.

These initiatives are designed to enhance biodiversity, capture carbon emissions, and create employment opportunities for local communities, contributing to both environmental and economic growth.

Boosting Research and Technical Capacity

Beyond tree planting and security measures, the Oyebanji administration is investing in research, education, and capacity building to ensure the long-term success of its environmental agenda.

Working closely with experts such as Dr. Olly Owen, Technical Adviser on Forestry and Climate Change, and Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, Technical Adviser on Green Economy and Ecological Matters, the state facilitated the establishment of an outstation of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) in Odo-Owa Ekiti.

The new FRIN facility, which sits on 20 hectares of land provided by the host community, is expected to serve as a hub for academic and scientific research, fostering collaboration in forestry, agriculture, and environmental management.

Sustainable Vision for a Green Economy

According to Mr. Sunday Adekunle, Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, the state’s integrated approach to forest management represents a major shift from previous practices.

“Governor Oyebanji’s strategy combines security, reforestation, community empowerment, and research to ensure that Ekiti’s natural resources are managed sustainably. This is not just about restoring forests—it’s about building a green economy that benefits both people and the planet,” Adekunle stated.

A Model for Subnational Climate Leadership

Governor Oyebanji’s green revolution aligns with global climate goals and Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions through afforestation and sustainable land use.

The administration’s policies are positioning Ekiti as a national model for subnational climate action, where environmental preservation and economic development advance side by side.

By transforming degraded forest lands into productive ecological and economic assets, the state aims to promote a cleaner environment, enhance food security, and attract green investments that will drive long-term prosperity.

With these efforts, Ekiti State is emerging as a leader in climate-conscious governance, demonstrating that environmental stewardship can serve as a foundation for economic renewal and social resilience.